tunasub | OPEN POST 2017

[ Sorry, Lupin, Cardia still tends to forget the amount of propriety a proper Englishwoman should demonstrate. But she at least understands that this is something just for the two of them, not an act she'd engage in with anyone else, no matter how much Impey teasingly bemoaned it. ]

Tr--??

[ Question answered immediately, she ends up sputtering with a soft yelp at just how quickly and unceremoniously she ends up drenched, bangs swiftly plastered to her eyes as she tries to push them away and clear her vision.

Thanks, Lupin. ]

[ if she was just like any proper Englishwoman, Lupin doubts he would like her as much.

He can't help laughing when she gets cut off like that - and she looks funny with her hair all stuck to her face; he chuckles lightly, setting the bowl back on the edge of the tub. But he can't help feeling a little badly, too. In a moment, he loops his arms around her midsection delicately beneath the water, his touch careful and respectful, as ever. ]

Sorry. I couldn't help myself. You were so cute, I had to tease you. [ ... or, really, she made him nervous, and that was the best way to recover... but he's not feeling quite soft enough to admit that out loud. ] Are you okay? It didn't get in your eyes, did it?

A little.

[ Well, her eyelashes are going to smell like roses now, that's fine. Cardia sounds slightly peeved, but also slightly distracted because Lupin's touch is very careful, asking for or demanding nothing-- but it still sends something like a shiver down her spine, only nowhere near as cold and unpleasant.

But she won't dwell on it, instead reaching down and then back to-- flick some water at him. The true lady. ]

But I've been taught what to do when I'm blinded.

[ well, if there's ever a time to catch a world-famous phantom thief off guard, it's in the bath. It's safe to say he's slightly distracted - and thus, her attack is a rousing success. Lupin startles a little bit, shaking his head just slightly - then laughs even more, light and happy. It's not the same belly laugh he shares with the others around the breakfast table at Impey's expense; this is gentle, fond, and almost certainly something only Cardia gets to hear. ]

All right, I'll give you that one. [ he inclines his head, his temple resting against her damp hair. ] I'm sure your teacher would be proud.

[ Really, he could just stay like this. She smells like flowers - well, roses now, sweet and nostalgic; her skin feels warm against his own, and remarkably soft, and internally, he figures it must be because hardly anything had ever been able to touch it before. Knowing that he's really the first -- the only one to hold her like this makes his heart start beating more than a little bit faster, and his embrace tightens briefly, pressing her back against his chest --

but it's only for a moment, and then his arms are away from her again, one apparently going in search of shampoo. ] Let's see... I picked out something special for you...

[ She's sure her teacher would be, except that once again, Lupin is distracting her from her victory with a sweet laugh that's so much gentler than his usual confident tone and his boisterous, teasing amusement. It's a fascinating sound to her, and it's one she makes a note to try to hear from him more often.

Just as much as she's bound and determined to get him to hold her like that more frequently, too. She likes how secure Lupin makes her feel, treasured-- not as a doll, not for the power she'd held inside of her, but as simply... Cardia, the girl who'd shared so many of her first experiences with him. Just like this, she thinks, as she struggles not to turn her head so he can't just read the curiosity written all over her face. ]

Special? Should I close my eyes this time?

[ he chuckles, shaking his head even though she can't see him do it. ] No, it's not that kind of special. And I promise on my honor as a gentleman thief I won't get it in your eyes, so you really don't have to.

[ a statement that sounds pretty silly, but Lupin does have a surprising amount of honor for a thief, so he probably means it. There's some rustling as he manages to get ahold of the bottle he'd set down earlier. Truthfully, he probably could have just nicked something from Saint-Germain's linen closet - the man has a veritable hoard of knickknacks stored away all over, including a menagerie of imported oils and creams that Lupin has to imagine he must try on his own considerably lengthy locks - but doing so felt a little impersonal. Besides, he doesn't need to indebt himself any further to that man; he's done so much already that even Lupin feels a bit guilty borrowing anything more from him. ]

There were some interesting merchants from Edinburgh at the marketplace; I let them talk me into buying something from them... Frankly, I don't know anything about what's good for a woman's hair, so it was probably for the best. [ rare for him to admit he doesn't know something, but even Lupin has to concede that haircare hasn't ever been much of a priority. There's a pause; he rests his palms on her head, then sinks his fingers into her hair gently, winding them through the strands with something that smells faintly of vanilla. ] Oh! You should come with me sometime. You like shopping, right? If you go to the bazaar after the ships have come in, you can meet people from all over the world, selling anything you can imagine. Flowers, jewels, medicine, books... I even saw someone trying to sell a tiger once.

[ it's a good thing Impey hadn't seen it, or he would have tried to rescue the poor thing right away... and he could barely handle a corgi. ]

[ At first, Cardia tenses with surprise at the additional, gentle pressure on her head, but then any tension is gone and she's focusing more on additional sensations. The faint, but somehow luxurious smell of vanilla that only seems to grow stronger the more Lupin works it into her hair, the gentle coaxing pull of his fingers, and the softly soothing sound of his voice weaving an image for her.

She does like shopping, seeing what new things she can learn about and experience for herself. And she can only imagine what a marketplace harboring things from all around the world would entail. Books she'd never read, flowers she'd never seen, a tiger-- ]

I'm glad we don't own a tiger now. I don't think Sisi would like it.

[ to say nothing of Van. ]

But I'd like to go with you-- next time? [ there's a hopeful note in her voice. Cardia doesn't have as many commitments as the others, so she's fine with waiting if need be, but if Lupin's offering... ]

[ it's such a simple thing, but something about it sets his heart at ease - just being together, taking care of her. They must look like newlyweds. The embarrassing thought makes him smile to himself; but regardless of what the future might hold, Cardia already feels like family to him. ]

Heh. Somehow, I feel like Sisi could hold his own against a tiger... He's got a lot of spunk for being such a little dog.

[ he massages her scalp softly as he responds under his breath, relaxing against the back of the tub, his fluster from a few moments ago ebbing away. ]

Oh? It's a date, then.

I'll do my best.

[ she says so very solemnly, with a clenched fist because CARDIA IS GOING TO MAKE SURE IT'S A GOOD DATE. Which might be impressive, except as he massages her scalp, she just ends up sinking back against him even more with a soft noise of pleasure. Again, it's still a relatively new gesture... but she can't help but enjoy it.

Maybe she'll have to ask Lupin to help with her hair more often. ]

[ it's still impressive! He snickers a little bit at her answer, amused by her determination. ]

My expectations will be high if you talk like that. You better sweep me off my feet.

[ the joke is that she already did, even if Lupin likes to think things happened the other way around. Maybe he shouldn't say something like that - she has a tendency to take people very seriously - but, frankly, the idea of her trying really hard to win him over is so cute he doesn't bother clarifying. He lets his hands rest on her shoulders, seeing as he's essentially done and she's close enough to make it a somewhat awkward reach. This position feels a little precarious, but she seems happy... besides, it was definitely his idea. ]

Relaxed?

[ sweep him off his feet... it's kind of a daunting task, considering that the target in question is a Phantom Thief who specializes in being dramatic and charismatic and Cardia is still... neither of those things, really. But then again, she's not the same nearly-broken doll waiting quietly for her fate, sealed off from the rest of the world.

So she'll try. Perhaps she'll ask Impey for pointers, or just go with what seems to be the most natural. She's seen enough of the way Lupin acts to know what he likes.

For now, Cardia nods, completely blissful. ]

Yes, thank you. That was nice, Lupin.

That's good. You seemed pretty nervous before, after all...

[ teasing a little, maybe, but he's also genuinely glad that she can relax around him even in this setting. Lupin sighs, easing down into the water more. Come to think of it, it's been a pretty long time since he had a long, relaxing bath, himself. Being a phantom thief is pretty busy work. He wouldn't trade it for the world - but it does have the unfortunate side effect of cutting into his personal time. ]

Oh, and you don't have to thank me. I haven't been giving you as much attention as you deserve lately. [ he weaves his fingers into her hair again, pushing it from the back of her neck. ] I wanted to pamper you. Well... That, and I wanted to steal some alone time with you. Sorry.

[ it's not a very sincere apology. Lupin smiles mischievously before sneaking the briefest kiss against her nape. ]

I don't really think you're sorry.

[ and there's Cardia, still not versed in the meaning of subtlety and tact as much as she could be-- but such things weren't really meant to be used around Lupin, anyway.

Her shoulders hunch forward in reaction, and then she drops her head back, against his shoulder. ]

At least, I don't want you to be sorry for this. I like being alone with you, Lupin. Even when you tease me.

[ that makes him snort, and he gives her head a (gentle) prod in return. Her lack of tact is endearing, it's fine... ]

Wow, you got me. Who could have guessed the world's most notorious thief would get caught like this?

[ she rests against him more, and he watches over her fondly. The colorless jewel embedded just below her throat glistens in the candlelight and catches his eye - a now-harmless reminder of how they met. He never would have guessed that the "dangerous weapon" he'd gone to steal that night would end up resting skin-to-skin with him in the bath a year later. Now, those gems seem like nothing more than proof of how special she is. ]

... I like it, too. [ he says simply, not decorating his words, for once. He pauses. ] The whole world's open to you now, you know. Got any other wishes you want granted?

[ Cardia isn't someone who has big dreams like Impey, or a constantly working mind struggling to find things to improve upon, like Fran. She doesn't have Lupin's ambition, either, so coming up with wishes for herself still remains a fairly difficult task. And especially when Lupin had already granted hers.

She can do this, lean against him, feel what it's like to have their skin make warm and welcome contact, and know he won't be killed from that simple desire. That's more than she'd ever expected. ]

... I want to feel you more often.

[ WELL OKAY. ]

[ WELL OKAY INDEED. It's a good thing he wasn't drinking anything, or he definitely would have just done a spittake on the back of her head. He figured she'd say something about learning more skills or seeing more of the world -- not come right back to him. Lupin feels awfully spoiled. On one hand, he should really expect her to just say things like that outright at this point. On the other hand... she has to know how that sounds by now, right? Right?

He clears his throat. ]

Oh. Well, that's... [ once again, he feels like this position is pretty precarious... but now he's a bit fired up. After a pause, he sighs through his nose, then speaks more quietly, murmuring close to her ear. ] ... How should I interpret that wish, Miss Cardia?

[ She knows that as long as she's with him, she'll continue to learn. Additionally, she knows that they won't always stay here, that he'll continue to broaden her horizons and show her places she's never seen before.

Then that had left her with a very simple answer, and she turns her head slightly to respond. ]

I want you to touch me, Lupin. Your warmth is... my favorite. And I can finally feel it and know that I won't destroy it at my own hands.

[ He's fairly certain he's never had a woman come onto him this strongly in his life. Cardia says some amazingly audacious things sometimes - an ironic result of how innocent she is. Lately, though, Lupin thinks she's a little more savvy than she lets on. (That said, he's also hoping she can't feel how his heartrate sped up when she laid that line on him. Maybe she can make him swoon, after all...) ]

... What a coincidence. I want the exact same thing. [ That feels like way too convenient an answer. He really is a lucky thief. Lupin lifts one hand to her face, wet fingers gently grasping her jaw and beckoning her to turn his way; his voice is low and soft. ] Cardia. Come here.

[ When he speaks like that, his voice gentle and still somehow commanding, Cardia can't even think of resisting-- even if she wanted to (which she doesn't).

So when she turns her head, aided in part by his hand, she's already feeling a little breathless, irises a darker shade of blue. She's not exactly sure how close he wants her, but she'll shift in the water, turning to face him completely and resting her hands on his shoulders. ]

Like this?

[ she asks for confirmation so adorably, and he is once again glad for a multitude of reasons that he's the one who found her that night. There are so many people in the world that would want to break or tarnish this jewel; selfishly, he imagines himself as the only man who could properly appreciate her. It's almost certainly not the truth - he'd seen how some of the others had looked at her early on - but for the moment, he wants to make them both believe it. After all, there's no doubt that she's the only woman who can properly appreciate him. ]

Like this.

[ Lupin tilts her chin up just slightly when she turns towards him, and his eyelids flutter shut as he presses his lips against hers, full with his roguish confidence and gentle affection alike. They've shared more than a few kisses by now, but his romantic nature hasn't dulled in the slightest, nor has the care he takes with her; even now, with her bare and practically sitting in his lap, he's slow and sweet. ]

[ Cardia can truthfully say she's faced a lot at the hands of men-- the ones that unknowingly grasped at her, hurt her, only for them to be the ones devastated in the end. Impey's playful nudges, a steadying hand at her back from Saint-Germain, Van's quick, focused punches that held a purpose, a method of teaching, Fran's cautious grip when passing her something that held an 80% likelihood of exploding--

It hasn't been all terrible. But here, with the way his hand cradles her chin and he keeps her tucked close, Cardia thinks she's never felt so precious and cherished in her life. Every time Lupin does this, that same thought occurs to her, and it makes her smile into the kiss and lift a hand to bury her fingers into his thick, soft hair.

She can do that now, too. It's another blessing. ]

[ he leans into her touch, into her. He can still remember when she'd been so hesitant to reach out to him; his heart swells with pride feeling her confident, delicate touch now. It was hard to believe that hand could have ever hurt him. (Even if they still could, he doesn't know if he'd have been able to resist her for long.) He breaks the kiss, their lips remaining little more than a hairs' breadth apart, his thumb brushing her cheekbone affectionately, and smiles back a quiet little smile. ]

My treasure, you can feel me as often as you like. [ words murmured at a close distance; he touches his nose to hers, his free hand slipping down beneath the water to rest in the small of her back. ] I love you. Arsène Lupin is yours to keep.

[ and he means that utterly. She doesn't need to wish for him; he'd happily give her anything and everything at a moment's notice, he knows, and he doesn't even care - no, he wants to. ]

[ Hers. He's hers. After being pursued for so long, to become one side's weapon or another, after having to come to terms with the realization that she wasn't the Cardia her father had truly loved or wanted, that she was just a doll to fulfill his purposes--

It helps, as it had helped back then, to know that she was more than that to the people who mattered. To Lupin, she's a treasure, but he still offers her himself, which Cardia can't help but think is the actual treasure here.

It takes a few more minutes before she can slip one hand free of his hair, easing it down to rest against his chest. He's still so close and she cherishes it, squirming closer and rubbing their noses together. ]

I love you, too. That won't ever change.

Never? [ he repeats back in a playful voice, but there's no missing the blush in his cheeks or how his heartbeat quickens underneath her palm. ] I don't know... I'd like it if you fell even more in love with me.

[ He certainly has no intention of slowing down his advances - no, if anything, earning her love has only made him more doting and flirtatious towards her. That much is clear. When he steals things, he often loses interest in them once the thrill of the heist has passed; this time, it's quite the opposite. Even as she wriggles up against him, he somehow still feels the desire to keep her even closer, to lavish her with even more attention - there's something irresistable about her, and Lupin gives in readily. The water makes it easy for him to draw her in towards him those last few inches, pressing her to his chest and shifting a leg to corner her against him. ]

Maybe if I grant a few more wishes.

Even more--

[ It's not really dismay at the audacity of that statement that has her trail off in an incredulous squeak of sorts... more that she can't even imagine what it would be like to fall even more in love with Lupin. Is that possible? He already consumes her thoughts the majority of the time-- does falling more in love with him mean she'll start forgetting things to make room for more Lupin thoughts? Will she remember to feed Sisi??

... Rather, is she going to be able to sweep him completely off his feet if he gets even more charming??

Very seriously, trapped against his chest as she is, she manages to peer up at him with a frown. ]

All of my dreams are already beginning to feature you. You're dangerous without needing to make me fall for you even more.

OPEN POST 2017

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cardia is so cute CRIES

weeps into hands

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I'M BACK

SUP

CARDIA NEEDS TO BE LOVED